Australia gears up for fourth AIYD conference

Young leaders from India and Australia to discuss governance and public policy, public diplomacy and soft power, innovation, business and education

Australia will host the fourth Australia-India Youth Dialogue (AIYD) conference on 27-29 January 2015. Fifteen young leaders (18-40 years of age) from India will visit Melbourne and Sydney to meet and engage with 15 of the best and brightest young leaders of Australia. Over the three-day conference, AIYD 2015 delegates will discuss critical issues in the Australia-India relationship and key challenges and opportunities facing the two countries. Discussions will be structured around panels led by experts in the areas of governance and public policy, public diplomacy and soft power, innovation, business and education.

Applications for the 2015 AIYD opened on 18 August via www.aiyd.org.

“I am happy that the AIYD will meet in Australia at a time when the bilateral relationship is growing from strength to strength and there is convergence of interests between our two countries in several areas, including in education and resources cooperation,” said Australia’s High Commissioner to India Mr Patrick Suckling.

“Greater engagement with India’s youth such as through forums provided by the AIYD will offer opportunities to shape the attitudes of India’s emerging leaders and allow them to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of Australia’s political, economic, strategic and social concerns. Likewise, it will prove to be beneficial for Australian young people, who are already enthusiastic about India’s growing political and economic power,” Mr Suckling said.

“The conference will provide an opportunity for delegates from both countries to interact further and sow the seeds for strong relationships—as friends, trusted collaborators and creative partners in different initiatives,” he added.

“For Australia-India ties to prosper and endure in the long-term, such interactions between the youth of the two vibrant democracies is critical,” said Shaun Star, Chair, AIYD.

“With new governments in Canberra and New Delhi and the new Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi due to visit Australia in November for the G20 summit, the opportunities have never been greater,” he said.

The AIYD is based on the premise that youth in both countries can and should play a key role in shifting old attitudes and developing new avenues for collaboration and partnership. Almost two-thirds of India’s population is under the age of 30. In 2011-12, India was Australia’s largest source of permanent migrants and the second-largest source of international students in the country.

The AIYD’s efforts have been supported by the Australian Government, the Australia India Institute and state governments in Australia, including Victoria and New South Wales. The AIYD also enjoys valuable support from universities and companies who have an interest in empowering youth in the Australia-India relationship. For a list of AIYD partners, visit www.aiyd.org.

For more info or interviews with speakers, delegates and AIYD representatives, contact Monika Barthwal-Datta +61426837382 or Shaun Star on +919717232228

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